The U.S. Energy Information Agency published its latest forecast for energy use through 2050 and it foresees no slackening in demand. Its projection for demand for petroleum and other liquid fuels only varies based on assumptions about economic growth and petroleum prices. This projection does not break out liquid fuels like biodiesel and ethanol, but presumably they are inherent in the calculations. Vegetable oil prices have been on an even faster growth rate than overall fuel demand growth. This will continue as substitutions for petroleum particularly in the transportation sector remain high. However, not all fuel sources are being treated equally. Malaysia is currently testing the use of palm oil as a jet fuel mix at the same tim...
From WPI Consulting
Forecasting developments in production agriculture
On behalf of a private U.S. agricultural technology provider, WPI’s team generated an econometric model to forecast the movement of concentrated corn production north and west from the traditional U.S. Corn Belt. WPI’s model has subsequently provided quantitative support to a multi-million-dollar investment into short-season corn variety development. WPI’s methodology included a series of interviews with regional grain elevators and seed consultants. Emphasizing outreach and communication with stakeholders who possess intimate sectoral knowledge – on-the-ground insights – is a regular component of WPI’s methodologies, made possible by WPI’s ever-growing network of industry contacts.